MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are looking for a male suspect wanted for alleged kidnapping and sexual assault.

At 1:50 p.m. on Monday (March 8, 2004), South Kohala police responded to a report of a kidnapping and sexual assault at Waimea Park. The minor victim fled from the suspect’s vehicle and notified an adult. The minor was not injured.

The suspect is described as being a Caucasian male, being in his 60s, being 6 feet tall, weighing 220 to 230 pounds with a medium build and having a fair complexion and short gray hair. The suspect was wearing a black baseball cap, light blue T-shirt and black neoprene shorts.

The suspect was driving a newer model Mercedes Benz four-door sedan dark blue in color with a leather tan interior. He was last seen driving down Kawaihae Road from the park.

Police are asking anyone with information about the kidnapping and sexual assault to call Detective Christopher Gali of the West Hawaii Juvenile Aid Section at 326-4268 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. The numbers are answered 24 hours a day. Callers will be given a coded number and their identity will remain anonymous. Callers may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if their call leads to an arrest, indictment or the recovery of property. Crime Stoppers neither subscribes to “Caller ID,” nor does it record phone calls.